The Detroit Lions came close to the promised land last season after losing to the San Francisco 49ers in the NFC Championship.
This offseason, they've operated like a team that isn't satisfied with "coming close" and is ready to compete for a Super Bowl. With free agency mainly over, the Lions now turn their attention to the 2024 NFL Draft to improve their roster.
In a new two-round A to Z Sports Mock Draft, the Lions left with impactful players on both sides of the ball.
Round 1, Pick 29: Kool-Aid McKinstry, CB, Alabama
"The Lions have used free agency to attack multiple key positions, including CB. But I think they still could use an impactful starter option in the secondary. Kool-Aid McKinstry was once looked at as the top CB in this class. But many have begun to paint him as a high-floor, low-ceiling option. A high floor candidate at the position shouldn't scare the Lions away, though, in my opinion, and I think he has a higher ceiling than people give him credit for."
The Lions have done a great job filling holes on their roster this offseason and have even added to their secondary already with the signing of Amik Robertson and the trade for Carlton Davis. These moves could deter the Lions from drafting a CB early in the draft, but I think it opens up the possibility of turning a weakness from last season into a strength next year. Davis and Robertson are both quality starters; Davis will be a starter, don't he outside, and Robertson has the flexibility to play in the slot or on the outside.
If they chose to draft Kool-Aid McKinstry, he would project as their starting outside corner opposite Davis and then slide Robertson into the slot, forming quite the trio in the CB room for the Lions, who saw their secondary struggle last season. There are a few other positions the Lions could consider with this pick, but to me, the opportunity to fill the CB hole once and for all here would be a wise thing to consider.
Round 2, Pick 61: Cooper Beebe, G, Kansas State
The Lions have built one of the best rosters in the NFL, and GM Brad Holmes has shown that he will stick to their team's boards no matter if it fits the "Draft to fill team needs" mantra many others live by. With the success he's had in the past few draft classes, it's safe to assume that is how the Lions will continue to operate. A player in this class who I don't think gets the attention he deserves is Kansas State offensive lineman Cooper Beebe.
Beebe has shown himself to be truly dominant in the passing game, so much so that I'd say he is one of the best guards in this year's draft class in that area. The Lions signed veteran Kevin Zeiter to fill their immediate need at guard, who is set to start opposite Graham Glasgow. Zeitler just turned 34, and Glasgow will turn 32 before the season begins, so finding a young guard like Beebe to develop into their future starter should still be a priority. Beebe's ability to play multiple positions would give the Lions a reliable backup lineman at multiple positions in the present.
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